Knowledge and Perception of Afenmai Residents on Lassa Fever Outbreak in Nigeria

Abstract

The media as purveyors and carriers of information frequently examine issues of public health by publishing messages that could guide the audience to make informed decisions about their health. This study therefore, examined the knowledge and perception of Afenmai residents on lassa fever disease outbreak in Nigeria. Anchored on Agenda Setting and the Health Belief Model, the study relied on survey design with questionnaire as instruments of data collection. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to sample 400 respondents from a population of 1,317,655 persons selected from six local government areas: Akoko-Edo, Etsako-Central, Etsako-East, Etsako-West, Owan-West, Owan-East, in Afenmai region of Edo state. Findings indicate that the Afenmai people are exposed to campaigns on lassa fever prevention and control and that there is a significant level of adoption of the transmitted campaign messages. Based on the findings of the study, the researchers conclude that there is significant difference in the perception of Afenmai residents on lassa fever pandemic in Nigeria. The researchers further concluded that the media played useful role in sensitizing the residents of the region on the virus. It therefore, recommended that government and media organizations should enhance media campaign messages on lassa fever outbreak in the county amongst others.

Keywords: Knowledge; Perception; Afenmai; Residents; Lassa Fever.

DOI: 10.7176/NMMC/98-04

Publication date:September 30^th 2021